COPD decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for COPD and chronic bronchitis, finding that the Veteran's conditions preexisted her active duty service and were not permanently aggravated by it.

The Veteran's claim for service connection on the merits is remanded due to new evidence showing chronic back pain since discharge. Other claims are also remanded for VA examinations and opinions regarding potential service connection.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for left hand tremors, right hand tremors, skin condition, COPD, and heart conditions. The rating for DM remains unchanged at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is related to in-service asbestos exposure, and service connection for COPD is granted. The right shoulder disability claim is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is at least as likely as not related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for COPD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70% since April 21, 2021. His COPD was initially denied but later granted with a 30% rating effective March 17, 2023.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for respiratory disorders, including COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis, and/or bronchitis, due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The case requires further development as the March 2020 VA examination is not fully adequate.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence added to the claims file, including VA outpatient records. The issues of service connection for teeth issues, shoulder condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, right foot (pes planus), limitation of flexion right knee/leg, gout (claimed as painful joints), generalized body aches, skin disability, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), recurrent allergies, sleep apnea, bilateral hand disability, sinus disability, and asthma are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bronchial asthma, COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and a bilateral eye disability due to lack of evidence of current disabilities during the pendency of the claim.,Service connection was also denied for degenerative arthritis as it had already been approved by the Regional Office.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been referred to the RO. The SMC claim is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these pending claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen claims for left knee disability, right knee disability, diabetes, lung disorder (claimed as COPD), tinnitus, and glaucoma. The Veteran must now request an SOC before these issues can be appealed further.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and requested a new VA medical opinion. The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asbestosis and other than COPD, is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, special monthly compensation based on housebound status or the need for aid and attendance, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his active service, including exposure to asbestos.

The Board denied service connection for a recurrent respiratory disability, including COPD and asthma, finding that the disabilities did not originate during active service or are otherwise related to it.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD and multiple joint and back conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since June 23, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the evidence and need for additional testing. The Veteran's asbestosis with COPD and right pulmonary nodule is currently rated at 30 percent, but his symptoms have not met or approximated the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6604.

The Veteran's lung disability, including COPD, is presumed to be related to his service due to Agent Orange exposure. His heart disability remains remanded for further examination and rating consideration. The need for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, and an acquired psychiatric disability have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for COPD but the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability remains pending.